Forestry Work and Essential Chainsaw Protective Clothing
Working with trees is an age-old profession and while some of the work will be no different to the tasks our fore-bearers would have undertaken hundreds of year ago, certain aspects of the job are now more dangerous and the use of new equipment and machinery brings with it increased risk and safety challenges.
However for those who are passionate about the job, working in forestry can be a hugely rewarding career. You get to work outside, breath fragrant fresh air and you may get all the satisfaction associated with helping to manage and maintain age old forests. As long as you don’t mind a bit of bad weather and being hands-on outdoors, it can become a lifelong calling.
But what exactly does a forestry job entail and what are the different roles available in forestry? In this summary guide we find out about these career options and we also look at essential information that influences how the work is undertaken given safety concerns and the regulations relating to working in Forestry. We take a specific look at working with chainsaws as this work plays such a key role in forestry and we walk you through chainsaw protective clothing considerations and the best footwear appropriate to working with this powerful piece of forestry equipment.
Let’s get started with some basic industry information all forestry newbies might like to know.
Key roles in forestry
There are a number of different jobs available in the forestry sector and roles include:
- Tree Surgeon
- Chainsaw Operator
- Forestry Worker
- Forestry Work Manager
The HSE has a description and some useful guidelines on these roles but here’s a summary of what each job involves;
Tree Surgeon
Tree surgeons are typically responsible for two key tasks – maintenance by pruning old, over-grown or damaged trees and felling trees that are often unsafe and may have diseases. Both activities are essential for the preservation of healthy forests. The formal name for a tree surgeon is an arborist.
Chainsaw Operator
Felling timber is usually done by chainsaw so chainsaws are one of the most regularly used tools in forestry work. Operators need to be highly trained to work with a chainsaw and the use of appropriate protective chainsaw clothing is not only recommended but it is a regulatory requirement. The main role of a chainsaw operator is to fell trees, saw trees and remove roots from trees. Operators are trained to use cutting techniques that result in the felled tree causing as little damage as possible when falling.
Forestry Worker
This is a general term and the role of a forestry worker can include a wide variety of tasks such as planting, maintaining trees, harvesting timber and spraying. Like all forestry work the tasks require workers to be active and prepared for hard physical work. Also this work can involve risk, such as the use of quad bikes to access work areas in a forest.
Forestry Work Manager
The forestry work manager is responsible for the preservation and protection of forests. The manager coordinates with the land owner, local authorities, contractors and all those involved in the process of maintaining forests. He/she is also responsible for risk assessment and health and safety on site.
How to Become a Forestry Worker?
There is a useful guide on working in forestry in the UK on the National Career Service website. Essentially it recommends that you have GCSE’s in core subjects including Maths and English and that Science is also useful. It also suggest getting practical experience in working in forestry or on the land, possibly through volunteering for conservation work with groups like the Woodland Trust or the Conservation Volunteers or securing an Apprenticeship. It’s no surprise that it suggests that you need to be responsible, fit and healthy and love working outdoors. For courses on being a tree surgeon (arboriculture), see the Careers Service listing.
Health & Safety & the Regulatory Environment
Health & Safety considerations are integral to forestry work and the implementation of best practice doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive. However it is critical to deal with Health & Safety issues correctly, for a number of compelling reasons;
- Personal Safety; the statics show that forestry work is extremely dangerous; over the 13 years to 31st March 2013 over 60 people lost their lives in the UK while working with trees and many more were injured very seriously. 4,000 lives were reported as affected by injury.
- Safety of Others; similarly forestry is open space which may be in use by the land owner, the local authority, contractors and the public therefore forestry workers have a responsibility to be aware of safety concerns for all parties who may be at risk.
- Regulatory Obligations; forestry workers are obliged to meet certain regulations in terms of formal training/competence, equipment in use, managing risk etc.
There are EU regulations which have been transposed into UK law for a wide variety of relevant forestry activities including
- Aerial Tree Work
- Lifting Equipment
- Working with Chainsaws
- Forestry Operations e.g. working with machinery, near power lines, at height etc.
- Tree Climbing
The Agriculture and Forestry Advisory Group has issued a series of useful guides on relevant topics which you can access online to identify best practice, your responsibilities and the relevant regulations.
Working with Chainsaws
One of the most popular careers in forestry is being a tree surgeon and working with chainsaws is a key aspect of this role. The first main concern in working with chainsaws is that the operator is physically and mentally fit to work, trained and competent. Where a chainsaw is used incorrectly, the consequences can be deadly therefore by law chainsaw operators must be trained by a recognised qualified body/person. The Approved Code of Practice “Safe use of work equipment” sets out the minimum required standard of competence for using chainsaws in forestry. It basically says that everyone using chainsaws in or on trees should be certified unless they meet certain criteria e.g. they have used a chainsaw before 5th Dec. 1998.
Personal Protective Equipment & Chainsaw Protective Clothing
Another key concern for employees and contractors working with chainsaws is the use of appropriate protective equipment. This includes general work equipment as well as clothing, footwear, eye protection and other items that protect employees from health and safety risk at work.
In terms of chainsaw protective clothing, there are standards that apply to various items and when purchasing PPE, employers and workers should ensure they meet these standards. A consistent level of resistance to cut-through by a chainsaw is critical. Some of the standards to watch out for include;
Chainsaw Boots – the applicable regulation here is BS EN ISO 20345:2004 and the boots should bear a shield with a chainsaw to demonstrate compliance with EN 381-3. Haix Boots are a leading brand in this field Brixworkwear offers three alternative chainsaw boots that offer Category 1 protection as well as absolute confidence for the worker in the level of protection these boots deliver.
Chainsaw Jackets – these should meet BS EN 381-11 to provide strong upper-body protection. However heat considerations should also be taken into account as manual exertion can cause heat stress. Brixworkwear sells two chainsaw jackets which offer the necessary protection and are designed for comfort at work also.
See SIP ISIA Chainsaw Jacket and SIP ISIS Hi-Vis Chainsaw Jacket
Chainsaw Trousers – The relevant standard required for chainsaw trousers is EN 381-5 and the basic requirement is all-round protection i.e. full trousers. Brixworkwear offers three chainsaw trouser options from the leading brand, SIP with products designed for safety, comfort and high visibility.
Safety Glasses – eye protection in the form of safety glasses should meet the standard EN 166. Eyesight is such an essential aspect of employees good health that it makes absolute sense to invest in glasses that meet this regulation. Check out the choice of 3 safety glasses from Brixworkwear that are suitable for forestry workers.
There are other relevant standards that apply to a wide range of Personal Protective Equipment and the HSE Guide “Chainsaws at work” outlines these.
Brixworkwear Chainsaw Protective Clothing and Chainsaw Boots
If you haven’t shopped online with Brixworkwear before, then join the forestry masses who buy their safety clothing and footwear from us online – over and over again. You can enjoy
- The very highest quality protective chainsaw clothing and footwear
- Free shipping both ways
- No quibble returns policy
- Superb, accessible service
- Wide choice of online payment methods
Kit yourself out with the right clothing for forestry work – it’s worth the minimal investment to secure your safety and comfort at work. We look forward to meeting you online!
Working in Forestry Useful Links
In terms of getting the right qualifications to work in forestry, the relevant Awarding bodies include City & Guilds NPTC and Lantra. And relevant Trade Associations include the Arboricultural Assoc. and the Forestry Contracting Assoc.
Other links you may find useful as follows;
HSE Guide “Chainsaws at Work” http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg317.pdf
National Careers Service “Forest Worker” https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/forestworker.aspx